Meat-pr ess



J. W. CLAPP.

3 Sheet s-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

MBATPRBSS.

PatentedJune 2, 1896.

nl i V 1 -(No Model.) 3 Sheetsf-Sheet 2.

J. W. GIQAPP. MEAT PRESS.

No. 561,091. A PartentedJune 2, 189.6.

AN DREW B.GRAHAM.PHUTOUTMWASHINGTUN-C.

(No Model.) I s sheets-sheet a.

J. W. CLAPP. MEAT PRESS:

Patented June 2, 1896.

NGTUN.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEErcE.

JOHN TILLARD OLAPROF BROCKTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

MEAT-PRESS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 561,091, dated June 2,1896. Application filed February 16, 1895. Serial No. 538,696. (Nomodel.)

T0 @ZZ whom t may concern,.-

Be it known that I, JOHN WILLARD CLAPP, a citizen of the United States,residing at Brockton ,in the county of Plymouth and State ofMassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inMeat-Presses; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to that class of presses or apparatus which aredesigned for pressing meat, &c., in a suitable vessel; and it has forits object to provide an improved press of this character which will beespecially adapt ed for pressing cooked meat, and which will,furthermore, possess advantages in point of simplicity, inexpensiveness,adaptability, adj ustability,convenience, and facility in operation,effectiveness, and general efficiency.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of my improvedmeat-press. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view. Fig. 3 is avertical longitudinal sectional view. Fig. 4 is a perspective view ofthe frame with the pan or vessel detached. Fig. 5 is detail perspectiveview showing the ratchet-plate and lever-frame. Fig. 6 is a detailtransverse sectional view. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view showingthe recesses in the face of the pan or receptacle. Fig. 8 is a detailperspective view of one end of the pan or receptacle.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the framework, which comprises ahorizontal base-frame a, preferably rectangular, at the front of whichrises a front standard or upright a' and at the rear of which rise twouprights or standards a2k a2.

The pan or vessel B, in which is placed the meat or material to bepressed, is preferably rectangular in form and is received within theframe A and inclosed thereby. The pan or box B rests upon the base-framea and between the front and rear uprights a and CL2, and is thusremovably mounted in the framework. The front and rear faces of the panB are preferably provided with vertically-ar ranged beveled or inclinedrecesses b and b b', respectively, corresponding to the front and rearuprights a and a2 of the framework, by which construction andarrangement the pan is more securely bound in position during theoperation of the press.

The top of the pan or receptacle B is open, as shown, and within thelatter moves a corresponding horizontally-mounted plunger C, which iscarried and operated by a leverframe A', pivotally mounted upon the rearuprights of the framework. This lever-frame comprises two cross-bars a3a3, respectively pivoted to the tops of the rear uprights a2 a2, asshown at p p. These crossbars are connected by a longitudinally-arrangedrod a4, from which pivotally depend two standards A2 A2, secured attheir lower ends to the plunger C, which standards thus carry thelatter. In said standards are provided a vertical series of perforationsa5 for the adjustment of the standards upon the rod a4, by whicharrangement the vertical adjustment of the plunger with relation to thehorizontal plane of the cross-bars a8 a3 is provided for according tothe quantity of meat or material to be pressed in the receptacle B. Therod a4 is removably secured in any suitable mannerto provide for theadjustment just described.

It will be understood that by the vertical movement of the lever-frameupon its pivots upon the main framework the plunger is operated in ahorizontal position in the receptacle B to press the meat or othermaterial contained therein. The lever fralne and plunger may be thrownupwardly and back out of position to enable the filling or removal ofthe contents of the receptacle B or the removal of the pan or receptacleitself from the framework.

In the top edge of the rear wall of the receptacle B are preferablyprovided recesses b3 b3, corresponding to the cross-bars a3 a3, whichrecesses receive the latter during the operation of the press and serveto retain the pan or receptacle more securely in proper relativeposition with relation to the lever-frame and plunger.

Secured to the front ends of the cross-bars ai a3 of the lever-frame isa front cross-bar al, provided with a beveled recess c6, forming an edgeengaging an upright ratchet-plate D, projecting above the pan orreceptacle B and mounted upon a spring-plate (l, secured to the top ofthe front upright a. Normally the ratchet-plate inclines rearwardly uponits IOO spring d, and the play of the latter is limited by a staple d'upon the face of the upright a'. As the lever-fralneis forced down inthe operation of pressing it engages the ratchetplate, and is thus heldin position for pressing the meat or contents of the receptacle Bcontinuously for the desired time. To release the lever-frame and enablethe elevation of the same or the withdrawal of the plunger, it is onlynecessary to force the ratchet-plate outwardly upon its spring.

The pan or receptacle B is preferably formed of heavy tin or lightsheet-iron, and the framework and lever-frame of iron; but any suitablematerial may of course be employed. The device may also be made ofvarious sizes adapted for different quantities and specific uses.

By reason of the general construction of the frame and lever-frame, thelatter being of a double construction having two bearings upon theplunger, great pressure and an effective operation are secured withminimum power and the durability of the device en hanccd.

If desired, the pan or receptacle B may be formed with removable ends topermit the rcmoval of the contents after pressing, as shown in Fig. S.In this construction the pan B is preferably formed of heavy tin orsheet metal, bent up to form the bottoni and sides, and the end edges ofthe sides are turned outwardly to form ilanges b5 b5, as shown. rlhisleaves a projecting bottom flange b at each end of the bottom proper.

The removable ends of the pan are formed of separate pieces, ofcorresponding material, having their end edges bent to forniapproximatelyV or U shaped vertical angular flanges 117 ZF, by whichconstruction and arrangement the removable end pieces may bc slidupwardly or downwardly on the flanges b5 b5, by which latter flanges theend pieces are securely retained in position. lVhcn in nor mal position,the end pieces rest upon the bottom end iianges 11G. This constructionof pan or receptacle is strong and serviceable,

and provides for the convenient removal of the end pieces when desiredwithout removing the entire pan or receptacle from the framework.

That I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. A press of the class described, compris ing the framework embodyingthe front and rear uprights, the pan or receptacle mounted in theframework between said front and rear uprights, the lever-frame pivotedto the rear uprights and embodying the transverse front cross-bar andcarrying the plunger, the ratchet-plate projecting from the top of thefront upright of the inclosing frame and carried upon the spring-platesecured to said upright, said ratchet-plate being adapted to engage thetransverse front cross-bar of the leverframe, and the limitingstaple CZsecured to the front upright and inclosing the spring, substantially asset forth.

2. The herein-described improved press, comprising the frameworkembodying the base portion and the front and rear uprghts, substantiallyas described, the removable pan or receptacle mounted in the frameworkbetween said front and rear uprights, the approximately rectangularlever-frame embodying the side cross-bars pivoted to the rear uprightsof the inclosin g frame and connected by the transverse front cross-bar,the plun ger pivotally carried by standards depending from each of theside cross-bars of the approximately rectangular lcver-frame, and theratchet-plate D projecting from the top of the front upright of theinclosing frame and carried upon the spring-plate secured to saidupright, said ratchet-plate projecting inwardly into engagement with thefront edge of the transverse front cross-bar of the lever-frame,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

J OIIN VILLARD CLAII.

XVitiiesscs:

ARTHUR ANNE'r'r, C. C. IIAnLow.

